Friday, October 22, 2010

NEXT: A Library Futures Symposium

Over 200 library community members will come together to help shape thefuture of Alberta’s libraries at NEXT: A Library Futures Symposium, October21 and 22 at the Edmonton Crowne Plaza Hotel – Chateau Lacombe.

Writer and public opinion researcher Michael Adams, President of theEnvironics Group, headlines day one speakers who will focus on thecultural, demographic and economic shifts affecting libraries andcommunities in the 21st century. Other speakers include:

Building on insights from day one, participants – including public,post-secondary and school library representatives – will address issues insmall group discussions.

Outcomes for the symposium include articulating a roadmap for librariesacross Alberta, contributing to the vision and strategic planning processof libraries, and sparking innovation, learning and creativity.

The symposium is presented by The Alberta Library, a consortium of librarycommunity members across the province.

"We are a knowledge-based community, charting a course in an increasinglyinformation-based society," says Maggie Macdonald, Chair of The AlbertaLibrary Board. "To continue to be successful, we must build on theinsights, ideas and expertise of our colleagues and stakeholders. Thequality of our engagement with each other will have a lot to do with oursuccess as individuals, as organizations, and as communities."